edmunds



LSGZSM .May -1,' 1928.

G. E. EDMUNDs coNvEYER CHAIN Filed April 5. 1926 2 Sheets-Street l May 1, 1928.

G. E. EDMUNDS CONVEYER CHAIN Filed ADIil 5. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ln/ventole @Lean/.ZT Edm anais' @ma nu;

Patented May l, 1928.

GLENN E. EDMUNDS, OF COLUMBUS,

O-IIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BONNEY-FLOYD COM- IPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

CONVEYER CHAIN.

Application led April 5, v19216.

This invention relates to improvements in conveyer chains, and is especially directed to the provision of an improved chain adapted for use in the supporting of the molds or buckets of pig casting machines. In such machines, the molds or buckets are connected at their end portions to Wheeled conveyer chains which operate over suitable tracks or guides and permit of the removing of the molds in lined orbits from metal receiving to metal discharging positions.

Considerable ldifliculty has been encoun tered in the operation of machines of this character due to the accumulation of metal Within the wheel bearings and link joints of the conveyer chains. This metal upon cooling has a tendency to cause the Wheels to stick or adhere to their journaling axles, preventingthe free rotation of the Wheels and produces a rigid. condition wherein excessiveV friction and Wear is present together with the incidental unsatisfactory operation of the conveyer as a whole.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a novel form of chain for machines of this character wherein the individual links of the chains are constructed to provide enlarged guards, arranged adjacent to the supporting Wheels of the chain, and so related to said Wheels that the molten metal in splashing over the sides of the buckets or molds will be prevented from coming into contact with the wheel bearings and thus enabling said wheels to operate freely, properly and witluiut undue friction for extended periods.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the chain with novel supporting members for connecting the molds or buckets With the link sections of the chain, this result being accomplished in asimple'and practical manner, without interfering' with the movement of the chain around .the drive and guide sprockets of the machine.

For a further understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description `and the accompanying dranings, in which:

Figure l is aplan view of a conveyer chain constructedin accordance; with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2,

Serial No. 99,761.

Figure 4t is a similar view on the line i-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a. side elevation of a modified form of the invention,

Figure 6 is an edge elevation of the same,

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken through the assembly thereof,

Figure 8 is a similar view showing another modified form of the invention,

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral l designates the improved conveyor chain comprising the present invention in its entirety. As shown, this chain is composed of a plurality of articulately united links 2, arranged in pairs and provided with overlapping meeting ends 3 and 4. The ends 3 and 4t of adjacent link sections are provided with registering openings 5 for the reception of transversely extendH lug asie pins or bolts 6. These pins or bolts are arranged so that their head ends T are arranged on the outside of said links and have their inner or shank ends provided 'with transversely extending openings 8 for the reception of cotter keys or holding pegs 9.

Between the link sections and rotatably journaled about the axes of the pins 6 are track engaging Wheels l0, the latter being formed with internally arranged hubs ll in Which are positioned roller or other antifriction bearings 12 to facilitate the rotation of the Wheels about their journals. The wheels l() are each formed to include the usual peripheral flange 13 and an ai'i'inilai' tread surface '14, the lutter beingl :uglapted to engage with the usual. snpj'iorting tracks 15 provided in connection with pig metal custing machines.

An outstanding feature of the present invention resides in providing the link sections of the chain l with the enlarged ends 3 of disk formation which are shaped to co-operate with the sides of the Wheels l0 to prevent molten metal from entering the supporting bearings of theI Wheels l0. It will be observed that each link 2 is provided at one end with the enlarged spherical head or guard 3 and, as shown in Figure 3, the crosssectional formation of cach guard 3 is such that its outer peripheral edge. will be received Within grooves or depressions 1G provided in the sides of the Wheels l0. Moreover, the ends 3 of the links are each formed to include offset shouldered portions 17 provided with smooth outer surfaces against which is placed and received the smaller ends t of said link sections and by this construction the links are permitted to articulate freely about the connecting bolts; (i. Since the peripheral edges of the guards 3 closely engage the sides of the wheels i0 it will be seen that it will be impos `le for molten metal, jostled or thrown from the machine, from flowing down the sides of sai-d Wheels and iinding access to the bearings 12. By this: construction I overcome one of the principal faults with machines of this kind now in general use and providev at all times freely turning wheels so as to eli1ninate friction, dragging and unevenness in the operation of the machine as a whole. It is particularly essential that the wheels should be guarded in this manner especially when roller bearings are employed, although the necessity is vitally present even when plain bearings are being used, and it Will be understood that the invention is applicable to wheel bearings of any desired type.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provi-sion of novel supporting means for uniting the ends of the metal receiving buckets or molds 18 with the chain. In `the present instance this is accomplished by forming the inner faces of said link sections to include inwardly and late-rally projecting integral lugs 19, and during the process of assembling the chain these lugs are positione'd within registering slots 20 provided in arched bridge members 2l. By the arched formation of the bridge members 2l the latter will be so positioned that their transverse webs Will be free from interference with. the teeth of drive or guide sprockets (not shown), around which the chainis trained. Each of the bridge members includes an inwardly and laterally projecting lug-22 upony which rests and is secured as at 23 an offset tongue 2i formed with the ends of the molds 18. By this construction it will be observed that the link sections of the chainv are duplicates and can be cast from` a single pattern. This is a practical feature in design in that it avoids undue multipl'icit-y of different parts and facilitates repairs when the chain is in active operation. It will be seen that by the construction of the chain the wheel bearings are effectively carried and their clogging with molten metal isprevented. The cross-sectional form of the guards 3 is such that molten metal contacting with the same is readily shed by the curvature of the walls of said guards and is forced away from the wheel bearings. Moreover, the construction of the bridge member is such as to avoid. sliding the chain links asis the present custom, and a much stronger construction is produced. lVhile theinvention has been particularly described as beingl adapted for use in connection with pig cast-ing machines, it will be appreciated that it is not limited to this peculiar field of activities, but may find service in any capacity where it is necessary in a conveyor chain to protect associated wheel bearings.

In the modified form of the invention disclosed in Figures 5 to 7 inclusive, the link sections 24 of the chain 1 have their ends provided with upper and lower segmental .iead portions 25 and 536. These head portions are soV arranged that when assembled they forni a .substantially circular guard 27. It will be noted; that the upper head por# tion 25 overlies the sections 26 in such inanner as to prevent the molten metal from coming between the links 2i at the wheel bearings. Moreover the inner guards of the links nearest the buckets have their pei riphery formed with overlapping edges 28; These edges overhang the flange 29 of the wheels 10 as anadditional protection against the molten metal.

In Figure S of the drawing the guards 30'arc formed separate from the links and may be of sheet metal construction.

I'Vhat is claimed is:

l. A conveye-r chain consisting ofl a plu rality of link sections provided with overlapping ends, a bolt connecting the ends of said link sections artici'ilately, a Wheel journaled for rotation between said link sections about the axes of said bolt, and guard means formed with said link sections and arranged to cover the sides of said wheels.

2. A conveyor chain comprising a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced link. sections, a transverse member articulately uniting the ends of said link sections, a. Wheel journaled for rotation. about. the anis of said member and disposed between said link sections, and guards carriedV by said link sections andA arranged to surround the bearing hub of said Wheel.

3. As a new article of malmfacture, a link for conveyer chains comprising a longitudinally i-ixtenifling body `having an offset circular enlargel'nent provided upon at least one end of said link section` and. possessing a diameter materially greaterA than thelbody portion of said section. y i

4. As a new article of manufacture, aV link section for conveyor chains` comprising a longitudinally extending body portion having aty one end thereof an enlarged circular head, said head lying in a plane o'set with respect to the body portion ofsaid link.

5; As anew article of manufacture,` a. link for conveyer chains comprising a longitudinally extending body portion, and an enlarged head provided upon at least yone end ofv said link and arranged inl a plane oi'set with respect to the body portion of said link.

6. A conveyor cha-in compris-,ing a plurality of longitudinally extendingv transversely spaced link sections, said link sections being provided with registering overlapping end portions, means for pivotally uniting the overlapping end portions of said link sections, a Wheel journaled for rotation between the overlapping ends of said link sections, and guard devices carried by said link sections and cooperating with the sides of said Wheel to surround the axial bearing thereof.

7. In a pig casting machine, a mold supporting chain comprising a plurality of pivotally connected link sections, bolts pivotally uniting the adjoining end portions of links, supporting wheels positioned between said links and journaled tor rotation about the axes oi said bolts, the sides of said Wheels being provided with annular grooves, and enlarged guards integrally formed upon the ends of said links and having the peripheral portions thereof positioned within said grooves.

' 8. A conveyer chain comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending transversely spaced link sections, said link sections being provided with registering overlapping end portions, means for pivotally uniting the overlapping end portions of said link sections, a Wheel journaled for rotation between the overlapping ends of said link sections, and guard devices carried in connection with said link sections.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GLENN E. EDMUNDS. 

